Direction signaling system for automotive vehicles



Nov. 16, 1948. G. H. COULTER 2,453,702

DIRECTION SIGNALING SYSTEM-FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES Filed July 27, 1942 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lN VENTOR 6U] H. Cou/fcr ham;

ATTORNEY Nov. 16,1948. G. H.- COULTER 2,453,702 4 DIRECTION SIGNALING SYSTEI FOR AUTOIOT IVE VEHICLES Filed July 27, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F L. F: R. .5 SI 83 ,as a; v

ATTORNE Y Patented Nov. 16, 1948 DIRECTION SIGNALING SYSTEM AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES Fort Guy a. comm, Detroit, Mich assignor to United Lens Corporation, Detroit, Micln, a corporation of Delaware Application July 27; 1942, Serial No. 452,521- &

; 3Claims. (01477-311) This application is a continuation in part of application, Serial No. 133,258, t iled March 26, 1937, and which has become Patent 2,298,100,"

October 6, 1942, and relates to electrical systems and apparatus more particularly to an'ar'rangement of-electro responsive means by which the The invention comprehends the provision of electromagnetic switching means so constructed as to occupy a minimum space and adapted to be incorporated in a wiring harness without the necessity of providing additional supporting means therefor.

The invention has for one of its principal objects the provision of means responsiveto the flow of current in a circuit for establishing a flow of current to indicating or tell-tale means so as to apprise the observer of the condition of said circuit.

The invention has for one of its objects the provision of a' direction signalling system for vehicles having a plurality oi! tell-tale means or pilot lights to indicate to the driver of the vehicle not only whether the-signalling system is working but to instantly know which of the vehicle direction indicating devices is in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide tell-tale means to indicate at a remote point the condition of a plurality of circuits which may include one or more as well as a variety of electrically operated devices. I

Another object of the invention is the provision of an electromagnetic switching device for controlling tell-tale means, the device forming a unitary structure housing the operating partsand being so arranged as to be readily inserted or applied to an established circuit or wiring harness without the necessity of making matescope of this invention suchas relate to the arbe preferred,'in which I rangement, operation and function oi the related elements oi thestructure, to various details 01! construction and to combinations of parts, 'elementsper se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent N from ;a consideration of the speciflcation and drawing of a form of the invention, which may Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a signalling system embodying the invention;

Figure2 is a somewhat diagrammatic view oi another type of signalling system embodying the invention; g

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of another form oi signaling system similar to the one shown in Figure 2 but employing flashing means for indicating vehicle direction signals; a i

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a self-contained electrov-responsive switching device of the invention;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of 'a signalling system illustrating the arrangement of the visual indicators, the modified form of switching means and electrical circuit connections; v

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of th manually operated switching means;

Figure 7 isa top plan ,viewwith the housin in, section showing a modified form of electroresponsive switching means;

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the device illustrated in Figure 7 with the housing shown in section.

The drawings illustrate the principles of the invention and their application to a signalling system for vehicles, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular form or systems shown, but that the same or the component features are susceptible of many variations for the purpose of indicating the condition of other electrically operated devices, or in associationwith any type of signals or signalling sys tems or wherever the invention may be found to have utility.'

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figure 1 wherein there is diagrammatically illustrated the application oi. the invention to a signalling system for vehicles, it will be seen that the embodiment shown includes four electroresponslve devices which may be used as warning signals or vehicle direction indicators l0, II, II, and I3 visible from the exterior of the vehicle and a visual pilot or tell-tale means it readily observable by the driver for indicating the proper or improper functioning of the system. The signalling devices or illuminating means are I preferably located and rear of the cured to eachzof the fenders sothat observers located at the front or rear of the vehicle are apprised of a warning signal or that'a vehiclei by lead it connected to'a stationary contact 3 1 to each side and at the front vehicle body being preferably se-l turn is intended to be made by the driver. l The pilot or tell-tale means i4 are remotely located from the illuminating devices and preferably mounted on the instrument panel or in a'posi tio'n readily observable by the driver or other occupants of the vehicle, the pilot being preferably located back f a lens orcover of clear or colored glass.

The signalling devices or lightsources i8 and il adapted to indicate afleft". vehicle turn are shown as inter-connected by a conductor l5 ancai of the selector switch or main controller 28 while the signalling devices; or light sources l2 and I8 adapted to indicate a "right vehicle turnare inter-connected by means of conductor 2! and by lead 22 connected to a stationary contact 23' unitary assembly of a type similar to the one illustrated and described in application Serial.

No. 133,258 referred to supra. It is intended that the controller 28 be located in a position accessible to the driver in order that the driver can move the operating handle of selector or switch blade 25 without removing his hands from the steering wheel. The switch blade 25 is connected to a storworking circuit, the condition of which is to be indicated by the tell-tale means, without the rectangular cross-section and an L-shaped conwhich terminates into a terminal receiving or necessity of providing supporting means thereof.

A form of construction embodying these features is shown in Figure 4 and the same includes a magnetlzable frame or core having a substantially figuration formed by the uniplanar central section' 44 terminating into'the vertical arm 45 and having at its other end a slight bent portion 46 connecting section 41. One. end of uniplanar section 441-is provided on its upper surface with a transverse groove 49 and has a central opening 58,'-the latter adapted to accommodate the finger 5| formed at the extreme end of the armature 48 while the side portions adjacent the finger 5| 'of the controller 28. The stationary contacts l8 The controller 28 is, preferably in the form of a age battery 28 or other suitable source of current by means of lead 3i connected to one of the terminals of the winding 38 of an electro-magnetic switching means which is preferably in the form of a series type or a current responsive relay 32, while the other terminal of winding 38 is connected by lead 29 to the battery terminal 21. The other terminal 83 of the battery 28 is grounded as at 34 and one of the terminals of each of the illuminating devices ill to 13, inclusive, is shown grounded providing a common return for the flow of current in the main working circuit, the condition of which is indicated by suitable means such as a tell-tale means l4.

The tell-tale means are shownin the form of a signal lamp l4 adapted to give a visual indication'when the illuminating devices are working properly. The lamp i4 is preferably grounded as at 86 having its other terminal connected by a conductor 81 to a suitable insulated stationary contact 38 forming part of the switching means operated by the relay 82. The stationary contact 88 is adapted to be engaged by a contact 39 carried by the pivoted armature 48, and these contacts are normally retained out of engagement by a spring 4|. The armature 48 is connected by the conductor 29 to the battery for establishing a secondary circuit between the battery and the tell-tale lamp l4 when the contacts 38 and 89 are in engagement due to the energization of winding 30 of the relay 82.

The electro-responsive switching means or relay 32 of the invention is of very compact size, of great simplicity and so constructed that the same can -ture carrying the contact 39 projects.

rest on the groove 49 forming a suitable pivot means for the armature 40. The central portion oifl the vertical section 52 of the armature is struck-up forming ahook shaped member 53 to which is connected one end of the biasing spring 4! while the other end is connected to a hooklike member 54 formed by astruck-up portion of the section 48 of the core member providing means for normally holding the contact 39 away from contact 38. The hoolidiire members 53 and "54 can be bent relative to each other providing means for readily changingthe force of the spring 4i.

To regulate the air gap or the extent of movement of the armature away from the core as well as to adjust the amount of separation of the contact 39 carried thereby from the stationary contact 38, I provide a deformable member 55 having a slot through which the end of the arma- The member 55 is secured to the magnetlzable arm-45 by suitable fastening means 58 which also serve to retain to the arm 45 through suitable insulating ary contact 38. The 'L-shaped bracket 59 is (provided with a suitable terminal post 68 to which is connected one end of the lead 31 which connects the contact with the tell-tale means J4. The uniplanarsection 44 of the magnetlzable core is surrounded by a plurality of turns of suitable insulated wire forming the energizing winding 38, one end of this winding is connected to the terminal section 41 of the core, as at GI and hence to the battery by means of lead 29. The other end of the winding 30 terminates into a suitable binding post or terminal adapted to receive the end of lead which connects this end of the winding to the selector switch blade 25.

In order that a visual indication will be produced by the tell-tale means or lamp I4 upon theactuation of the switch blade 25 to either of its operative positions only when both signalling dethe spring 4| so that the contact 39 will be urged in positive engagement with the stationary contact 38. The engagement of contacts 39 and 98 will close the circuit between the tell-tale means and the battery 28* indicating by the illumination produced by the pilot light l4 the condition of the signalling system and apprising the driver or other occupants of the vehicle that the signalling devites are performi operative.

in Figure 1 is shown in Figure '2 as incor which are not only movable from the position indicating arrows 64.

ng their proper tunctionsr It is contemplated that under abnormal conditions particularly in the event that one ofthe signalling devices is inoperative such as by a burn out of the illuminatinglamp or'an open connection in the 5 circuit, or failure of the selectivelypperatedcontroller to establish the signalling circuit when actuated, the value of the magnetic flux will be in-' effective to overcome the spring 4| and attract the armature 40 to close the tell-talecircuit so that the tell-tale lamp it will, by its remaining dark when the controller switch blade 25 is actuated orset in one of its operative positions. indicate at once that the signal system is in- 1G The arrangement of the electro-responsive tell-' tale means dependent for functioning upon a, predetermined flow of current in the main working circuit which is diagrammatically illustrated porated in a signalling system for motor vehicles including two sets of electrically operated arrows B3 and 84 shown in full lines to the one shown in dotted lines but which are illuminated for better visibility 2:,

.when reaching such position. The operation of the system is controlled by manually moving the pivoted switch blade in a right or left hand direction so that.the same is set in to engagement with either of the contacts l8 or 23' to which are'respectively connected by leads I5 and IS the set of the left" turn indicating arrows 63 and by leads 2| and 22 to the right" turn The switch blade 25'-is 1 adapted to be automatically returned to its central or normal ineffective position after the vehicle turn has been completed by suitable means actuated by the steering wheel or by a timed mechanism preferably of the type disclosed in Patent 2,230,994 of February 14, 1941.

The pilot or tell-tale means i4 is shown as carried by-the switch casing having one terminal grounded as at 36 and at the other terminal connected by lead 31 to the stationary terminal 88 of the electro-magnetic switching means or relay 32. The terminals of energizing winding 30 of the relay are respectively connected to a battery 28' and to the switch blade 25' so that its magnetic'flux acting on the armaturefdll' is dependent on the amount of current flowing to the set of signalling arrows the circuit of which is established by the engagement of the switch blade 25' with either of the contacts l8 or 23' as the case may be. If the. switch blade 25' is moved into engagement with the contact l8 and the arrows 63 perform its proper function as indicated in dotted-lines, the flow of current through winding 30 will set a magnetic flux of sufllcient value to attract the armature 40' overcoming the restraining action of spring 4i thereby closing the circuit of the pilotlamp l4. 2 Thus the pilot lamp M will be energized visually indicating that the illuminated arrows 63 are functioning properly. However, in the event of a burn-out or other abnormal condition, the current flowing through the 65 energizing winding .36 will not produce sufllcient magnetic flux to attract armature 40' so that the tell-tale means It will remain inoperative. Thus the pilot lamp It also apprises the driver of the proper and improper operation of the system.

Figure 3 shows the principles of the invention as applicable to a flashing direction signalling system for vehicles. The system includes four illuminating elements or signalling devices, each located at either side of the vehicle body at the front and rear, Each illuminating device includes a filament adapted to be flashed or periodically energized to prod ce flickering or blinking "right" and left" 'vehic eturn signals clearly distinct from other warning signals which may have circuits and controls entirely separate but which may form part of the signalling system disclosed in the copending application hereinbeiore mentioned. The filaments of the similarly placed illuminating devices 61 indicating a, left" turn are connected byconductor l5" and lead It" tdthe contact ll" of the main control or switch means, while the filaments ofilluminating devices" indicating a "right" turn are connected to contact 23" by conductor 2|" and lead 22". The blade 25" is-adapted to be manually moved into engagement with either of said contacts 18" or 22" by actuating itspperating handle in the same di-- rection of the proposed vehicle turn and automatically return to its'central or normal position after the vehicle turn has been completed. in addition, thesystem includes means set into operation by the manual" movement of the blade to either of its operative positions for causing the flashing of the filaments selectively connected. The flashing means may be of a suitable thermoresponslve type or mechanically actuated as par ticularly disclosed in the patent hereinbefore mentioned, which are diagrammatically illustrated as t including a plurality of contacting'fingers or a, rotatable spider 65 adapted to periodically engage the stationary contact 66 connected by -a,suitable fuse B2 to one terminal of the energizing winding 01 the electro-responsive switchingmeans 32 and hence to the battery or source of current 28". g I

As disclosed in United States Letters Patent t 2,230,994 a spring actuated mechanism which is set into operation by the movement of the switch blade 25" from its central to any of its operative positions causes. the rotation of the contacting finger B5 to periodically engage the stationary contact 66 producing an intermittent energization or flashing" of the signalling devices included in the circuit established by the switch blade 25". When the switch blade 25" is manually moved into engagement with thecontact 23" andboth of the illuminating devices become energized, the current flowing through the winding 30" will produce a magnetic flux of sufflcient value to attract the armature 40" overcoming the action of v spring 4!" tothereby close the circuit of the telltale lamp ll", indicating that the devices 68 are functioning properly. It should be noted that the .pilot lamp I4" will also produce a flashing visual signal due to the fact that whenever the flow of current is interrupted through the winding 30" the circuit of the tell-tale means is also interrupted. However, in the event of an abnormal condition decreasing the current normally consumed by both of the signalling devices, the current flowing through the winding 30" will not be of a valueto produce a sufficient magnetic flux to attract the armature 40 so that the pilot light I 4" will remain inoperative. In the form of the invention shown in Figure 3, the pilot light it" apprises the observer or driver of the vehicle of the proper or improper operations of the system.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 5 to 8 in which the system includes as many tell-tale means or pilot lamps as there are signalling sets or working circuits, the condition of which is to be indicated. The system includes the provision of means for the selective energization of each set and the corresponding tell-tale means whereby the observeris readily apprised not only whether the signalling devices are functioning but instantly knows which set is in operation. The selective controlling means are preferably of a type which may be actuated manually to any of the operative positions and returned to its circuit open position by automatic means. The form of the selective controlling means is somewhat diagrammatically illustrated as including a switch supporting member 80 preferably of insulating material which pivotally supports a switch blade I0 having a central or circuit open v position and adapted to be moved by its operating handle II in engagementwith stationary contact I2 if moved in a right hand direction or in engagement with stationary contact It if moved in a left hand direction. The contacts I2 and iii are fixed to the support 09. The switch blade l0 carries a block of insulatingmaterial Iii to which is fixed a, current conducting element or plate iii. The plate I3 is normally in engagement with" the stationary arcuate contact 'I'I and is adapted to form a connecting bridge between this contact and a fixed contact I8 when the switch h'andle II is moved to the right or with the fixed contact 19 when the switch handle .is moved to the left. Both contacts I0 and I9 are carried by the insulating support 08.

The stationary switch contact" I2 is connected by means of lead 0| to a conductor 02 which interconnects one terminal of each of the set of illuminating devices FR and RR which are front and rear right hand turn indicators located in the .respective corners of the vehicle and each having a terminal grounded as at 83 and Birespectively. The fixed contact J0 is connectedby means of lead 85 to one terminal of the tell-tale means I or right pilot light RP which serves to indicate when energized that a right hand turn is contemplated and has its other terminal grounded as at 88. The stationary switch contact I8 is connected by means of lead 88 to conductor 80 which interconnects one terminal of each set of illuminating devices FL and RL which serve as front and rear left hand turn indicators located at the respective corners of the vehicle and each having a grounded terminal as at 0| and 92 respectivcly, The fixed contact is connected by lead 93 to the left pilot light LP which givesa visual indication when energized that a left turn is being effected and has agrounded terminal 8!. The switchblade 'I0"is connected by lead 90 to a terminal of a flasher device 81 which in turn is connected by lead 98 to one terminal of theenergizing winding 99 of the electro-res'ponsive switching means I00. The other terminal of the energizing winding 90 is connected by lead I02 to the live terminal of the battery B which has its other terminal grounded as at I05: The flasher device may be of any known type either mechanically The uniplanar intermediate section III of frame I I0 is covered at its inner and'outer surfaces with insulating strips lit and III in order to insulatingly carry the component partsof the assembly.

The magnetizable core is secured to the frame by fixing the flat core portion lid to the frame section III by suitable means such as the hollow rivet H0 which also serves as fixing means for one end of the movable armature IZI positioned between the core and the insulating strip III. As shown in Figured the magnetizable. core is of a U-shaped formation having its central section I23 surrounded by the energizing winding 08 comprisinga plurality of convolutions of conducting material suitably insulated therefrom. The core member has one of its leg portions I24 terminating into a horizontally extending flat section In. The flat section I25 is retained in close proximity and in proper fixed relation to the movable arms.- ture IZI by means or the vertically positioned insulating block I28 provided with suitable openings or slots to receive the central core section 128 and permit the passage and movement of the armature I2! toward and away from the core section I25. The armature MI is preferably made of magnetizable resilient spring material bowed or flexed so that the same is normally spaced from the core end section I25, and is provided at its free and I2! with a contact I08 which is preferably made of tungsten or other suitable substance capable of withstanding the deleterious effects caused by the periodic interruption of the flow of current caused by the action of the flasher device 97. Spaced from and aligned for engagement with the movable contact I03 is a stationary contact I01 the latter being carried by the, free end of the bracket I32 which has its other end insulatingly fixed to the uniplanar section III of the frame IIO by means of a rivet I33 which also or thermostatically operated to make and break tutes a unitary assembly-including a metallic'supporting frame IIO preferably of non-magnetic material having a channel shaped cross-section.

serves as a terminal or connecting post.

' As shown in Figure 7 one end of the energizing winding 99 is connected to a terminal or connecting post I34 carried by the flat core section II8 while the other end of said winding is connected to a terminal or connecting post I85. The connecting posts I33, I34, I35, are insulatingly carried by the supporting frame 0 through the strips H6 and III and are so arranged that the end of lead 98 can be readily fixed to post I38 without interfering with the connection of the end of leaduI06 to post I33 or that of the end of conductor I02 topost I34.

It is to be understood that .theamount of turns of wire forming the energizing winding should be of such number with relation to the current flowing to both of the illuminating devices constituting each set that the magnetic fiux produced thereby acting on the magnetic core will be sufficient to attract the armature III flexing thesame so that the contact I08 will be urged into positive engagement with the station-- ary contact I01 to close the circuit of the tellthe energizing winding 99 will not be of a value' to produce a sufllcient magnetic flux to attract the armature I2I so that the selectively tell-tale lamp will'refmain inoperative apprising the driver the improperoperation of the system.

into engagement with It should besrhcted that the upstanding side walls of the chari'nelhhaped' frame I I0 provide 'means for insuring that proper relationship of the component elements of the electro-responsive switching means irrespective to! any shocks and vibrations to which the unit may be subjected, and moreover it avoids the possibility or loose connections between the connecting post and conductors secured thereto. 'In .addition, the

unitary subassembly is surrounded by a hollow casin'g I38' preferably of tubular metal closed at each end by insulating discs I and I40. The

disc- I39 is dormed with suitable openings for the passage of conductors 98 and I00 while disc I40 is formed with an opening for the passage of lead I02. 1

The operation of this form of the invention can be briefly summarized asfollows: If the senailing apparatus FL and RL so, that observers located at the front or rear of the vehicle are apprised that a left hand turn is going to be made by the vehicle and their attention is at-' tracted by theirflashing operation due to the' action of the flasher device "01. With the switch blade I0 hr engagement with the contact I0 thecurrent flows from the battery through lead I02,

energizin \winding 80, conductor 00, flasher device 91, conductor 90, switch blade I0, contact I3, lead 88 and conductor 09 to the turn indicator FL and RL energizing them due to the ground return circuit. In addition, the movement of switch operating handle II in a left hand direction moves the current conducting element 70 into engagement withv contact I0 bridging or establishing a current path with the arcuatecontact 'I'i, thus closing the circuit of the left pilot light LP which will operate in a flashing manner due to the periodic interruptionof the current flowin through the winding 99 caused by the flasher device 91.

current will flow to the left pilot light LP and the samewiil remain inoperative apprising the driver of the-improper operation 01' the system.

In case that the switch operator or driver of a the vehicle desires to indicate that he ,is going to make a right hand turn to move the switch I hand direction so that the blade It will engage the stationary contact 1-2 which also will cause the conducting element 10 insulatingiy carried thereby to engage stationary contact I8 so that the'right hand turn indicator FE and RR as )hand tell-tale means RP wili' well as-th'e right be energized ina periodic manner due to the action oi the flasher device 01; The current to the right hand indicators'FR and RR will flow from the live batteryterminals' through conductor I02, winding 09. lead 00, flasher device 01, lead 00, switch blad BI and by conductor 02 to both of the right hand turn indicators FR and RR energizing them due to the ground return circuit to the grounded yterminal oi the battery B. The current to the energization of the right tell-tale means RP will flow from the live battery terminal to lead I02, core section 08, armature I2I, contact I08 in engagement with contact II'I, due to the value of the current flowing 'to both of the turn indicators FR and RR, and from contact I01 to lead I06, arcuate contact 11, conducting element 16, contact 18, lead 85 to right pilot light RP energizing the same due to the ground return circuit to the battery B.

It is contemplated that the selective switching means'fshould be so positioned that the, operating handle II will be moved in the same direction A as the proposed vehicle turn.

As hereinbefore stated, whenever current to both of the turn indicators, of a set is flowingv through the energizing winding 99 the contact W0 is in engagement with contact I 01 and therefore with the contacting element I6 in engagement with stationary contact I9 the currentfrom the battery to the left pilot light, LP, flows from the live battery terminal to lead I 02, core sectlon H8, armature I2-I, contact I08 in engagement with contact I 01, lead I06, arcuate contact TI, conducting element 'I6, contact I9, lead 00 to left pilot light, LP, energizing the same due to the ground return circuit to the battery. The flashing action of the illuminating devices or turn" indicators FL and RL as well as that of the left pilot light LP will'take place until the left hand turn of the vehicle has been effected at which time these circuits are open by moving the switch operating handle II to its central position by manual or other suitab e automatic means functionin in response to the completion of the vehicle turn. In case that both or either one of the left turn indicators is not functioning as for example the front FL, the current flowing through the winding 99 will not produce a magnetic'flux of suiflcient value to attract the armature I 2| and the contact I08 will not be urged s In the'form-oi invention shown in Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, the tell-tale means or pilot lights .LP and RP are placed within the vehicle body' suitably mounted on the dash or in aposition readily observable, It contemplates that the pilot lights be properly identified by locating them preferably in back of diflerent colored lens or proper distinctive indicia having direct visibility to not only enable the driver to instantly tell whether or not the turn indicators FL and RL on one hand or FR and RR on the other hand are working properly, but to immediately know which set of turn indicators is in operation and thus avoid the possibility of lack oi correspondence between the indicator produced by the turn indicators and the direction imparted to the vehicle, thus afl'ording the opportunity to the vehicle to make a left turn are entirely avoided. l

From the foregoing specification, it can be seen that the arrangements herein disclosed are applicable to a large variety of circuits and that the main or working circuit the condition of which is to be indicated at a remote point may include one or more signalling devices in one hand or other types oi electrically operated devices; and'that the secondary circuit may include any suitable tell-tale means equipped to give a visual signal or capable of producing an audible signal, or a combination of both audible and visual signals.

It should be noted that the electrical resistance of the energizing winding oi. the electroere- I0, conductor I2, lead' contact I0I so that no in order that the sponsive means or relays should be relatively low amount of current "needed in the system to which the relay is applied is not decreased, and therefore the carrying capacity of the wire forming the turns of the energizing winding should be of suillcient size to allow the required flow oi current to the system'with which the switching means is used. Moreover, as hereinbeiore pointed spring or bracing means for the relay armature actuating the movable contact can be increased or decreased to accommodate or suit difierent current values required for various systems without the necessity of providingdifierent windings so that my arrangement includes means rendering the relay usable within a wide range of current values.

While the electro-responsive or relays disclosed show the basic operating principles involved, it is to be understood that other types of electro-responsive means may be employed to meet varying operating conditions in the main or working circuit without departing from the spirit of the invention.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with specific details of preferred em bodiments thereof, it must be understood that such details are not intended to limit the invention to the specific disclosures.

What I claim is:

out, the strength'of the' switching means 1. Atdirectional signal system including a plu rality of spaced directional electrical illuminating signals, one at the front of the vehicle and the other at the rear, both on'the same side of the vehicle; a source of electrical energy; cuithaving a common lead in pant between said source of energy and each of said signals; a flashing device interpolated in said main circuit for periodically interrupting the circuit to said directional signals; a manually settable and automatically releasable switching mechanism whereby the operator n'als for controlling said pilot switch, the operating winding of said electromagnet interpolated in said main directional signal circuit and arranged to close said switch upon the passage of current suffl'cient to energize both of said directional signals and to open said switch when one only of said direction-a1 lights becomes non-enerdizable.

2. A directional signal system including two pairs of spaced directional electrical illuminating signals, one at the front of the vehicle and the other at the rear, on the opposite sides of the vehicle; a source of electrical energy; a main circuit havi g a c m o le in pa t b tween said source a main cirmay "indicate the direction of v turning of the vehicle by said directional sig- ,nected to said source of of energy and each of said si: a flashing device interpolated in said main circuit for 9 riodicaily interrupting the circuit to tional signals; a manually settable said direcand automatically releasable switching mechanism whereby the operator may indicate the direction of turning, the vehicle by said directional signals; a single pilot light for both of said signals of one pair adapted hicle, a secondary circuit for said pilot light con mon lead, an automatically operated switch in said pilot light circuit; and electromagnetic means for controlling said pilot switch the operating winding of. said electromagnetinterpo lated in said main directional signal circuit and arranged to close said switch upon the passage of current sumcient to energize both oi said signals of one pair and to open said switch when one only of said directional lights of said pair becomes non-energizable.

3. A directional signal and'pilot indicating control mechanism for a four sided motor vehicle including a pair oi spaced directional electrical illuminating signals, both on one of the four sides of-the vehicle; main circuit havinga common lead in part between said source or energy and each Of said sig-.

nals; a single flashing device interpolated in said main circuit for periodically interrupting the circuit to said directional signals; a manually settable and by the operator may indicate the direction oi. turning of the vehicle to the right or to the left by said directional signals; a single pilot light for both of said signals adapted to be located on the dash of the vehicle, a secondary circuit for said pilot light connected to said source of en- 40 operated switch in said pilot ergy through said common lead, an automatically light circuit; and electromagnetic means for controlling said pilot switch, the operating winding of said electromagnet interpolated in said main directional signal circuit and arranged to close said switch upon the passage of current sufllcient to energize both of said'directional signals and to open said switch when one only of said directional lights becomes non-energizable.

GUY H. COUL'I'ER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,178,479 Lamb Oct. 31, 193!) to be located on the dash of the veenergy through said coma source of electrical energy: a

releasable switching mechanism where- 

